Game Changer

 

Mentor Moment: Philip Fitzpatrick

 

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As the vice president and general manager for Positec Canada, Philip Fitzpatrick played a key role in launching the Kress brand in North America this winter. Fitzpatrick believes the landscape industry has reached a tipping point for the electrification of outdoor power equipment. Landscape Trades editor Scott Barber recently connected with Fitzpatrick to find out why.

Why is the development of new technologies key for equipment manufacturers?

The demands of the landscaping business are continually changing and evolving to accommodate many different elements
such as weather, political and environmental issues, available time, overhead shortages and return on investment. Manufacturers continually invest resources in developing equipment that will deliver solutions to any one or all of those issues.

What are the biggest challenges in research and development?

Research and development work in harmony with the changing demands of the market. It can be challenging to identify the problem that needs to be solved and knowing what research to invest in. It is also challenging to establish a pace of development that allows a manufacturer to remain relevant and not launch new technologies that are already obsolete. Furthermore, a big challenge we all face is staying in harmony with the rate of change happening in the market. The manufacturer who can be first with game-changing technology can have a very large impact on their brand and the industry itself.

What recent technological advancements are you most excited about?

I am most excited about battery technologies that will enable professionals in our industry to eliminate the heavily polluting effects of small engines. Another innovation that will have a major impact on our industry and that I am looking forward to is robotics.

Kress won the best booth award (800+ sq. ft.) at Landscape Ontario Congress in January, 2023.

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How difficult is it to educate and inform professionals on new product advancements?

Bringing innovation to the market is exceptionally challenging for a few reasons: commercial consumers are not always openly ready to accept change because the new technologies not only need to work but they also need to deliver on the ROI equation. Commercial consumers use these products to generate a revenue and make a living. Communicating the benefits of new technologies needs to answer the ROI question. Commercial consumers can also be averse to change, since it can mean taking a chance on a technology they may feel is unproven. New technologies often also mean greater up-front investments which can be challenging to overcome.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with landscape professionals across Canada?

Kress, part of the Positec family of brands, is a company who has worked in battery technologies for its entire existence. We are experts in the field. As many other industries have already begun the journey toward electrification, Kress has invested in researching, developing, manufacturing and bringing to market a battery solution for the professional landscaper that will enable them to also get on the electrification super highway. We are excited to continue to work with and grow our dealer network and provide real solutions in the industry.